The ongoing globalization process is rapidly producing hundreds of new international legal norms. Many of these norms influence the roles of women, men and family in society. Indeed, the role of women in society has received particular attention within the United Nations system. But while social progress for women is absolutely vital to continued social development, many of the norms recently articulated within the United Nations system pose particular challenges for societies that are committed to maintaining religious belief and natural family structures.

Boitano cites “no-fault divorce” statutes as a government action which has “put couples on the fast track to marital dissolution” and led to “billions spent on government programs necessary because of family breakdown.” He examines various ways “states are working to strengthen marriage” including “bottom-up” approaches for states lacking strong leadership from the executive or legislative branches.

Blankenhorn counters conventional scholarly wisdom that the world, with the United States leading the way, is moving toward a post-nuclear family characterized by the break-up of the mother-father bond, shrinkage of the marital birth-rate, the inability of families to socialize children, and the weakening of the perceived value of the family. He notes that in the United States “a funny thing happened … the trend stopped,” and there has been a “clear turnaround.”

Guerra notes that “associational patterns and the nature of commitment in religious and family institutions have much in common” whereas “political, economic, and educational institutions are quite a different breed.” He suggests, “This could be one of the reasons why the state has been so unsuccessful in remedying family problems” and cites successful “pro-family efforts” undertaken by religious groups.

Gallagher highlights data demonstrating “that married people are happier, healthier, and better off financially than single people.” She suggests that maintaining the distinction between formal unions, i.e., marriages and informal unions, i.e., cohabitation as well as recognizing marriage as a “public act” will strengthen marriages in Western societies.

Eberly makes the case that “Democratic character flows not from formal constitutions or Congressional acts, but from vital, character-shaping institutions in society, of which the family is the most foundational.” The “decline in fathering,” he argues, “contributes to socially underdeveloped citizens.” Consequently, “The renewal of fatherhood and the renewal of civil society go hand in hand.”